String - inverter configuration

[wstevew]

PS. I think you are supposed to have 2 lockable ac isolators.

 

[digital48]

Hmmm. That for isolating ac, panels, or both?

AC is the right-hand (red) switch.

DC is the left-hand (grey) rotating switch.

I just run your system through my phone app and it says 57kWh for December (birmingham nearest I could find)

1.33 south 25kWh
2.66 west. 32kWh

My figures came from PV potential estimation utility

 

[SolarCity]

Blimey. I've never seen AC and DC isolators combined in one enclosure before.

Presumably, the DC isolator has 6 seperate inputs?

Is this the only AC isolator you have? If it is, I don't think it is compliant as it can't be locked in off position only. Not that this is much of an issue.

 

[wstevew]

Using that I made yours 45kWh for December

I put it through as 1.33 azimuth 0
and 2.66 azimuth 90
23 degree slope.

 

[digital48]

Blimey. I've never seen AC and DC isolators combined in one enclosure before.

Presumably, the DC isolator has 6 seperate inputs?

Six cables going in and six out.

Is this the only AC isolator you have? If it is, I don't think it is compliant as it can't be locked in off position only. Not that this is much of an issue.

Yes. Google found this: Wylex NSPE-5359-5 Combination AC DC PV Isolator. Buy online or call

 

[digital48]

Using that I made yours 45kWh for December

I put it through as 1.33 azimuth 0
and 2.66 azimuth 90
23 degree slope.

I was using the Climate-SAF PVGIS database option.

 

[BruceB]

Re the wylex box: Nice idea, but overpriced and at first sight non-compliant because the ac side cannot be locked off with a standard padlock.

 

[digital48]

I can't really think of another way unless you can get up to the panels and cover some of them over?

How about if turn off the isolator (AC and DC sides) and then swap one pair across from one inverter input to the other? Or even just disconnect one pair and see what difference it would make?

 

[SolarCity]

You could try it. It might be hard to diagnose at this time of year though.

 

[digital48]

You could try it.

Anything other than not shorting out the cables that I should watch for? I assume I remove the half dozen screws on the front of the black section of the case and then all will be obvious?

It might be hard to diagnose at this time of year though.

Agreed. I was thinking of waiting for a bright(er) day. Could be a long wait according to the weather forecast!

 

[moggy1968]

where are you located?
maybe someone on here can pop in when passing and have a look. They might be prepared to take it out of their marketing budget!!

 

[SolarCity]

Id recommend waiting until March. I'm not at all convinced that there is a problem with your system so I'd urge you to be patient for now.

 

[wstevew]

If you are unwilling to wait. First thing as soon as it starts up Isolate inverter and Remove the black cover from the bottom of the inverter.


There are 4 pairs of input plugs. Label them so you can put it back. Connect each string to input 1 switch on and note the voltage and current. And if you have 2 the same and one different then you may have worked it out. But it will be difficult to tell at this time of year.

 

[Earthstore]

My advise, for what it is worth, just wait till the weather picks up, get one of the professionals, maybe from this site, to pop round and check it out.
This is high voltage DC we are talking about here, only protected by double insulation, no trips, no fuses, no earths.
What if you get something wrong? How would your guarantee be if you have been messing.
Hope this helps.

 

[digital48]

OK, I'll try to resist the temptation.

If the strings are wired into the Sunny Boy as 7 west +7 south and 7 west, what would the downside be? Is there a big drop in performance?